Drawing of a Statue of Venus with a Dolphin (The Medici Venus)
About this artwork
In the early 1730s, the antiquary Anton Francesco Gori started work on a comprehensive set of volumes called the 'Museum Florentium' that were intended to provide a visual record of the artistic treasures of Florence. He employed artists to draw copies of famous works which were subsequently engraved and published. This fine red chalk drawing of the ancient sculpture called 'The Medici Venus' was one of Campiglia's contributions to the Antique Sculpture volume (first published in 1734). The Medici Venus was celebrated as a model of female beauty. It was discovered in Rome in the sixteenth century, and for some time it was housed in the Villa Medici, Rome. In 1677 the sculpture was moved to Florence, where it was eventually installed in the Tribuna of the Uffizi.
Updated before 2020
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artist:Giovanni Domenico CampigliaItalian (1692 - after 1775)
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title:Drawing of a Statue of Venus with a Dolphin (The Medici Venus)
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date created:About 1730
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materials:Red chalk on paper
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measurements:53.70 x 37.00 cm
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object type:
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credit line:Lady Murray of Henderland Gift 1860 as a memorial of her husband, Lord Murray of Henderland
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accession number:D 1988
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Giovanni Domenico Campiglia
Giovanni Domenico Campiglia
Campiglia's reputation as a fine draughtsman is largely due to two great commissions he received during his career. In both cases he made drawings of antique sculptures which were engraved to illustrate publications. In the early 1730s he worked in Florence on Anton Francesco Gori's vast and...
